Re: [Chevelle-list] The death of my 454
A scattershield is the same as an SFI bellhousing (also known as a blow-proof bellhousing). For "dialing it in", you must ensure that the transmission input shaft is straight into the back of the crankshaft, with a tolerance. Picture putting a broomstick into a hole. Now move the broomstick up, down.side to side, etc. An input shaft is much the same. Most of the time things will line up fairly well, but not within specified tolerences. Blocks have core shift, bellhousings are varying quality, varying tolerances, etc, so it's quite common for the input shaft to NOT be lined up, and not be perpendicular to the block. When this happens, the trans won't be as easy to install, shifting quality can be affected, clutch release can be affected, and worse of all, your input shaft bearing can prematurely wear out. Check out tech tip #4 on this page for instructions: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/techref.html Yes, hopefully your installation shop will know about this and have done it. It's a bit of pain to do, but well worth the effort. And have them check that the bellhousing front face is square to the block. My last install had a block with surface irregularities that misaligned the bellhousing. That was tough to figure out. Mike -- I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, Than live my life as if there isn't, And die to find out there is. -author unknown Ten Commandments -- The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a Courthouse is that you cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal", Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery" and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians! It creates a hostile work environment. Check out my webpage at http://www.ProStreetCar.com TREMEC Distributor at http://www.5speedTransmissions.com Team Chevelle member #1778 (Gold), ACES member #1377 Hoosier State Chevelle Assoc (http://www.IndianaChevelles.com) #6 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks Mike, Is a scatter shield the same as a SFI bellhousing or is it an additional piece of metal that is welded on top of the bellhousing? Also, What do you mean by "Dialing it in"? I would hope the garage doing the install already knows this, but I am curious and would like to have some background before I ask them. Thanks, Steve Michael Pell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Absolutely yes, buy a scattershield. Your feet are far more expensive than a scattershield. I've seen pics of cars pretty much torn in 1/2 from an exploding flywheel and/or clutch. Not good, and definately not worth the risk. Either a Lakewood or a McLeod. In either case, you need to dial it in to ensure proper alignment. The McLeod's tend be a bit better on alignment right out of the box. And either will work with a GM TREMEC TKO-600. It's designed to be a direct bolt in replacement for a Muncie (utilizing a 26 spline clutch disc). Here's some swap details if you want/need more info: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/3550_68-72abody.html Mike -- I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, Than live my life as if there isn't, And die to find out there is. -author unknown Ten Commandments -- The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a Courthouse is that you cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal", Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery" and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians! It creates a hostile work environment. Check out my webpage at http://www.ProStreetCar.com TREMEC Distributor at http://www.5speedTransmissions.com Team Chevelle member #1778 (Gold), ACES member #1377 Hoosier State Chevelle Assoc (http://www.IndianaChevelles.com) #6 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Happy Independence Day! I was driving hame from work in the Chevelle a few months ago and noticed I didn't have any oil pressure. I checked the gauges, dipstick, etc. I noticed that my billet distributor was raised about 1/4 " from the intake and figured that it just wasn't spinning the oil pump shaft. I flipped the cheesy "dress-up" distributor bracket over and bolted it back down (since it bent up during the event) and turned the engine over again. It started right up.with no oil pressure and no funny sounds. I shut it back off and looked under the hood again. The distributor was raised up again. Well, I called my wife and had her bring my truck and the tow rope to get me. I hooked up the mess and pulled it home. On the bright side, the wife FINALLY got to drive the Chevelle.at least steer. Many tests later I discovered that the splash shield in the stock oil pan broke loose from the spot welds and wrapped around my crank, dimpled 2 pistons, scratched up at least 1 cylinder wall, shaved off the bottom of the oil pump (that would explain things), and filled up the bottom end with little shiny metal shavings. My mechanic
Re: [Chevelle-list] The death of my 454
<>>>> Well said Dale. Mike "just getting up" P. :- -- I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, Than live my life as if there isn't, And die to find out there is. -author unknown Ten Commandments -- The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a Courthouse is that you cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal", Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery" and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians! It creates a hostile work environment. Check out my webpage at http://www.ProStreetCar.com TREMEC Distributor at http://www.5speedTransmissions.com Team Chevelle member #1778 (Gold), ACES member #1377 Hoosier State Chevelle Assoc (http://www.IndianaChevelles.com) #6 Dale wrote: Not to butt in on Mike's deal here, but he may be in bed. SFI once stood for SEMA Foundation, Inc. (SEMA is now not involved but SFI kept the name) and does the standards for racing equipment - bellhousings being one of those pieces. A scatter shield is basically a term for a bellhousing that's not suppose to explode but rather contain a clutch/flywheel explosion. A scatter shield must meet SFI Specs to be accepted by and X-HRA body. What Mike meant was that due to manufacturing tolerances, the critical alignment of bolting the unit to a block may not be exactly aligned due to the dowel pins in the block not being exact. Most mfgs have offset dowel pins available that you can use to align the bellhousing perpendicular to the block insuring the transmission input shaft is dead-on straight with the crankshaft. Good article at http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/clutches_etc.htm Dale -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 11:29 PM To: The Chevelle Mailing List Cc: Michael Pell Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] The death of my 454 Thanks Mike, Is a scatter shield the same as a SFI bellhousing or is it an additional piece of metal that is welded on top of the bellhousing? Also, What do you mean by "Dialing it in"? I would hope the garage doing the install already knows this, but I am curious and would like to have some background before I ask them. Thanks, Steve Michael Pell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Absolutely yes, buy a scattershield. Your feet are far more expensive than a scattershield. I've seen pics of cars pretty much torn in 1/2 from an exploding flywheel and/or clutch. Not good, and definately not worth the risk. Either a Lakewood or a McLeod. In either case, you need to dial it in to ensure proper alignment. The McLeod's tend be a bit better on alignment right out of the box. And either will work with a GM TREMEC TKO-600. It's designed to be a direct bolt in replacement for a Muncie (utilizing a 26 spline clutch disc). Here's some swap details if you want/need more info: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/3550_68-72abody.html Mike Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006
Re: [Chevelle-list] The death of my 454
Not to butt in on Mike's deal here, but he may be in bed. SFI once stood for SEMA Foundation, Inc. (SEMA is now not involved but SFI kept the name) and does the standards for racing equipment - bellhousings being one of those pieces. A scatter shield is basically a term for a bellhousing that's not suppose to explode but rather contain a clutch/flywheel explosion. A scatter shield must meet SFI Specs to be accepted by and X-HRA body. What Mike meant was that due to manufacturing tolerances, the critical alignment of bolting the unit to a block may not be exactly aligned due to the dowel pins in the block not being exact. Most mfgs have offset dowel pins available that you can use to align the bellhousing perpendicular to the block insuring the transmission input shaft is dead-on straight with the crankshaft. Good article at http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/clutches_etc.htm Dale -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 11:29 PM To: The Chevelle Mailing List Cc: Michael Pell Subject: Re: [Chevelle-list] The death of my 454 Thanks Mike, Is a scatter shield the same as a SFI bellhousing or is it an additional piece of metal that is welded on top of the bellhousing? Also, What do you mean by "Dialing it in"? I would hope the garage doing the install already knows this, but I am curious and would like to have some background before I ask them. Thanks, Steve Michael Pell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Absolutely yes, buy a scattershield. Your feet are far more expensive > than a scattershield. I've seen pics of cars pretty much torn in 1/2 > from an exploding flywheel and/or clutch. Not good, and definately not > worth the risk. > > Either a Lakewood or a McLeod. In either case, you need to dial it in > to ensure proper alignment. The McLeod's tend be a bit better on > alignment right out of the box. > And either will work with a GM TREMEC TKO-600. It's designed to be a > direct bolt in replacement for a Muncie (utilizing a 26 spline clutch > disc). Here's some swap details if you want/need more info: > http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/3550_68-72abody.html > > Mike >
Re: [Chevelle-list] The death of my 454
All I gotta say isYou didn't fool around when it came to a new engine...Im jealous. Now all I have is a wimpy 454. I wanna 565!!! hahaha
Re: [Chevelle-list] The death of my 454
Thanks Mike, Is a scatter shield the same as a SFI bellhousing or is it an additional piece of metal that is welded on top of the bellhousing? Also, What do you mean by "Dialing it in"? I would hope the garage doing the install already knows this, but I am curious and would like to have some background before I ask them. Thanks, Steve Michael Pell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Absolutely yes, buy a scattershield. Your feet are far more expensive > than a scattershield. I've seen pics of cars pretty much torn in 1/2 > from an exploding flywheel and/or clutch. Not good, and definately not > worth the risk. > > Either a Lakewood or a McLeod. In either case, you need to dial it in > to ensure proper alignment. The McLeod's tend be a bit better on > alignment right out of the box. > And either will work with a GM TREMEC TKO-600. It's designed to be a > direct bolt in replacement for a Muncie (utilizing a 26 spline clutch > disc). Here's some swap details if you want/need more info: > http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/3550_68-72abody.html > > Mike > > -- > I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there > isn't, Than live my > life as if there isn't, And die to find out there is. -author unknown > > Ten Commandments -- The real reason that we can't have the Ten > Commandments in a Courthouse is that you cannot post "Thou Shalt Not > Steal", Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery" and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a > building full > of lawyers, judges and politicians! It creates a hostile work environment. > > Check out my webpage at http://www.ProStreetCar.com > TREMEC Distributor at http://www.5speedTransmissions.com > Team Chevelle member #1778 (Gold), ACES member #1377 > Hoosier State Chevelle Assoc (http://www.IndianaChevelles.com) #6 > > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > >Happy Independence Day! > > > >I was driving hame from work in the Chevelle a few months ago and noticed I > >didn't have any oil pressure. I checked the gauges, dipstick, etc. I > >noticed that my billet distributor was raised about 1/4 " from the intake > >and figured that it just wasn't spinning the oil pump shaft. > > > >I flipped the cheesy "dress-up" distributor bracket over and bolted it back > >down (since it bent up during the event) and turned the engine over again. > >It started right up.with no oil pressure and no funny sounds. > > > >I shut it back off and looked under the hood again. The distributor was > >raised up again. Well, I called my wife and had her bring my truck and the > >tow rope to get me. I hooked up the mess and pulled it home. On the bright > >side, the wife FINALLY got to drive the Chevelle.at least steer. > > > >Many tests later I discovered that the splash shield in the stock oil pan > >broke loose from the spot welds and wrapped around my crank, dimpled 2 > >pistons, scratched up at least 1 cylinder wall, shaved off the bottom of the > >oil pump (that would explain things), and filled up the bottom end with > >little shiny metal shavings. > > > >My mechanic/ mistake corrector said it would cost about $6000.00 to get the > >454 back to working order and suggested I look at crate motors as a > >cheaper/better option. My rebuild on the 454 was done in 1986. > > > >I selected Basko Performance Engines to build a new motor for me as they > >have a good reputation and are close to me here in the Phoenix AZ area. > >They are also putting a lot of work into my Edelbrock square-port > >closed-chamber heads. > > > >They are in the process of building me a Merlin "Big M" 565 ci cast iron > >engine with a solid roller cam, steel crank and JE pistons. I picked up a > >new Proform 950cfm carb and am anxious to get everything back together. > > > >I am currently running a Muncie M-21 but have been looking at the Tremec > >TKO-600 5-speeds for a while and am contemplating a swap. > >My question of the day is: Should I invest in a good blow-proof bell > >housing while everthing is apart, and if so, which brand is recommended? > >Will the same bell housing fit both the Muncie and the Tremec? > > > >Thanks for the help and have a safe holiday, > >Steve > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006 > >
Re: [Chevelle-list] The death of my 454
Absolutely yes, buy a scattershield. Your feet are far more expensive than a scattershield. I've seen pics of cars pretty much torn in 1/2 from an exploding flywheel and/or clutch. Not good, and definately not worth the risk. Either a Lakewood or a McLeod. In either case, you need to dial it in to ensure proper alignment. The McLeod's tend be a bit better on alignment right out of the box. And either will work with a GM TREMEC TKO-600. It's designed to be a direct bolt in replacement for a Muncie (utilizing a 26 spline clutch disc). Here's some swap details if you want/need more info: http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/3550_68-72abody.html Mike -- I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, Than live my life as if there isn't, And die to find out there is. -author unknown Ten Commandments -- The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a Courthouse is that you cannot post "Thou Shalt Not Steal", Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery" and "Thou Shall Not Lie" in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians! It creates a hostile work environment. Check out my webpage at http://www.ProStreetCar.com TREMEC Distributor at http://www.5speedTransmissions.com Team Chevelle member #1778 (Gold), ACES member #1377 Hoosier State Chevelle Assoc (http://www.IndianaChevelles.com) #6 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Happy Independence Day! I was driving hame from work in the Chevelle a few months ago and noticed I didn't have any oil pressure. I checked the gauges, dipstick, etc. I noticed that my billet distributor was raised about 1/4 " from the intake and figured that it just wasn't spinning the oil pump shaft. I flipped the cheesy "dress-up" distributor bracket over and bolted it back down (since it bent up during the event) and turned the engine over again. It started right up.with no oil pressure and no funny sounds. I shut it back off and looked under the hood again. The distributor was raised up again. Well, I called my wife and had her bring my truck and the tow rope to get me. I hooked up the mess and pulled it home. On the bright side, the wife FINALLY got to drive the Chevelle.at least steer. Many tests later I discovered that the splash shield in the stock oil pan broke loose from the spot welds and wrapped around my crank, dimpled 2 pistons, scratched up at least 1 cylinder wall, shaved off the bottom of the oil pump (that would explain things), and filled up the bottom end with little shiny metal shavings. My mechanic/ mistake corrector said it would cost about $6000.00 to get the 454 back to working order and suggested I look at crate motors as a cheaper/better option. My rebuild on the 454 was done in 1986. I selected Basko Performance Engines to build a new motor for me as they have a good reputation and are close to me here in the Phoenix AZ area. They are also putting a lot of work into my Edelbrock square-port closed-chamber heads. They are in the process of building me a Merlin "Big M" 565 ci cast iron engine with a solid roller cam, steel crank and JE pistons. I picked up a new Proform 950cfm carb and am anxious to get everything back together. I am currently running a Muncie M-21 but have been looking at the Tremec TKO-600 5-speeds for a while and am contemplating a swap. My question of the day is: Should I invest in a good blow-proof bell housing while everthing is apart, and if so, which brand is recommended? Will the same bell housing fit both the Muncie and the Tremec? Thanks for the help and have a safe holiday, Steve -- Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006
[Chevelle-list] The death of my 454
Happy Independence Day! I was driving hame from work in the Chevelle a few months ago and noticed I didn't have any oil pressure. I checked the gauges, dipstick, etc. I noticed that my billet distributor was raised about 1/4 " from the intake and figured that it just wasn't spinning the oil pump shaft. I flipped the cheesy "dress-up" distributor bracket over and bolted it back down (since it bent up during the event) and turned the engine over again. It started right up.with no oil pressure and no funny sounds. I shut it back off and looked under the hood again. The distributor was raised up again. Well, I called my wife and had her bring my truck and the tow rope to get me. I hooked up the mess and pulled it home. On the bright side, the wife FINALLY got to drive the Chevelle.at least steer. Many tests later I discovered that the splash shield in the stock oil pan broke loose from the spot welds and wrapped around my crank, dimpled 2 pistons, scratched up at least 1 cylinder wall, shaved off the bottom of the oil pump (that would explain things), and filled up the bottom end with little shiny metal shavings. My mechanic/ mistake corrector said it would cost about $6000.00 to get the 454 back to working order and suggested I look at crate motors as a cheaper/better option. My rebuild on the 454 was done in 1986. I selected Basko Performance Engines to build a new motor for me as they have a good reputation and are close to me here in the Phoenix AZ area. They are also putting a lot of work into my Edelbrock square-port closed-chamber heads. They are in the process of building me a Merlin "Big M" 565 ci cast iron engine with a solid roller cam, steel crank and JE pistons. I picked up a new Proform 950cfm carb and am anxious to get everything back together. I am currently running a Muncie M-21 but have been looking at the Tremec TKO-600 5-speeds for a while and am contemplating a swap. My question of the day is: Should I invest in a good blow-proof bell housing while everthing is apart, and if so, which brand is recommended? Will the same bell housing fit both the Muncie and the Tremec? Thanks for the help and have a safe holiday, Steve
